Deskjet D4160 goes "offline" when I try to print.

I'm using an HP deskjet D4160 on Windows XP and when I try to print the printer goes offline (according to Windows) and the power light and paper feed light blink back and forth. Everything is properly connected and both ink cartridges have been replaced since the problems started to occur. I've also tried reinstalling the driver. I've been trying to fix this problem for a while now, but to no avail. What could be a real fix for this issue?

Re: Deskjet D4160 goes "offline" when I try to print.

The printer is connect via USB, it is in a Windows XP pro environment using Service Pack 3. 2Gb of memory DDR2. The user is in a Domain Server environment and the user does not have Admin rights. When the printer goes OFFline I ususally have to log in as an Admin and restart the printer spooler service for it to start printing the documents.

Re: Deskjet D4160 goes "offline" when I try to print.

First thing I would do in an environment like that, is to have the IT department ensure that the installation and network setup are completely correct. It would be impossible to tell what is going on from this end in a situation like that. There are so many things involved with communication to a printer in a Domain Server Environment.

007OHMSS

I was a support engineer for HP.

If the advice resolved the situation, please mark it as a solution. Thank you.

Re: Deskjet D4160 goes "offline" when I try to print.

The network is ok. the printer is connected via USB. I am sorry if I didnt say that. The printer goes offline randomly and when I restart the printer spooler it goes back to the ready state. Also to note the first document to print prints really slow and then the rest prints normal.

Re: Deskjet D4160 goes "offline" when I try to print.

Looking through the manual for that printer, it occurred to me that there could be something to do with the USB connection, not the most likely possibility, but not something to overlook either. Found this excerpt from that printer manual:

Check the printer cable connectionIf your printer and computer are connected with a USB cable and the devices are notcommunicating with each other, try the following:● Make sure the power cord is firmly connected to the printer and plugged into a poweroutlet.● Check the USB cable. If you are using an older cable, it might not be workingproperly. If you experience problems, the USB cable might need to be replaced. Alsoverify that the cable does not exceed 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length.● Check the connection from your printer to your computer. Verify that the USB cableis securely plugged into the USB port on the back of your printer. Make sure theother end of the USB cable is plugged into a USB port on your computer. After thecable is connected properly, turn your printer off and then on again.● If you are connecting the printer through a USB hub, make sure the hub is turnedon. If the hub is on, try connecting the printer directly to your computer.● Try connecting the USB cable to another USB port on your computer. After youcheck the connections, try restarting your computer. Turn your printer off and thenon again.Note For best printing performance, use a USB 2.0 compatible cable.

007OHMSS

I was a support engineer for HP.

If the advice resolved the situation, please mark it as a solution. Thank you.